Obama backers receive death threats

October 16, 2008

Two supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama found handwritten death threats in their mailboxes today and reported them to Villa Park police.

A 74-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man with Obama signs in their front yards near the 600 block of South Villa Avenue (map) received similar letters that had a Villa Park Village Hall return address. "Get the Obama signs off your property -- now," the letter reads. "Failure to obey this order will result in the immediate death of all family members."

Both residents said they will not remove their signs, though the man, who had voted Republican for 25 years before switching parties this year, said his wife is worried about letting their 7-year-old son play alone outside.

Village President Joyce Stupegia said she has not heard about any other letters.